Ramirez is represented by the
California-based legal team of Nathan & Associates APC in Newport Beach and
by Ross Cornell of Long Beach.

Through his attorneys, Ramirez contends he
was tricked into buying Dole Food products by misleading advertisements that
billed them as being healthy. Dole Packaged Foods is a subsidiary of Dole, the
world’s largest producer of fruits and vegetables, employing more than 74,000
workers worldwide.

"He wasn’t aware of the deceit initially,
but after he was able to confirm the contents didn’t have the nutritional
benefits they claim they do, he came to us,” attorney Reuben Nathan told Legal Newsline, though he declined to say how hisclient uncovered the discrepancy
between what’s advertised and what's allegedly actually used in the snack products.

Ramirez’s suit contends at some point and time he has
purchased all of the aforementioned products, largely based on their “no trans fat” and “no cholesterol” labels, only to later realize they weren’t what they
were billed to be.

The suit adds that based on the large and excessive amounts
of sugar used in all of the items, the risk of such ailments as heart disease,
diabetes, liver disease and other forms of illnesses are greatly enhanced.

Attorneys for Ramirez add in some instances, Dole
products contain as much as 17 percent sugar by weight, accounting for more
than 35 percent of the product’s calories, amounting to better than 45 percent
of the American Heart Association’s recommendation for men’s daily sugar
intake.

The suit also charges violation of the Consumer Legal
Remedies Act prohibiting “advertising goods or services with intent not to sell
them as advertised,” breach of express warranty and negligent representation.

In addition, Ramirez is hoping to have all consumers
of Dole products for personal use and not for resale over the four-year period
in question step forward as plaintiffs in his action.

“The next phase in the process will be for
the defendant to formally respond,” said Nathan. “It’s pretty clear to us what
their course should be. This isn’t rocket science and the claims made about
their products are pretty clear. We’re hoping they will now agree to remove
many off those claims.”

Dole
has previously faced similar claims, including a California suit filed in
October alleging that the company routinely uses deception in the marketing of
such products as its Dole Fruit & Oatmeal.

In that case, plaintiff Salvador Amaya alleged that the
company benefits from the use of misleading advertisements labeling its food
products, all as part of a plan to make them appear more enticing to
health-conscious consumers.

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